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"I do believe in an everyday sort of magic...the inexplicable connectedness we sometimes experience with places, people, works of art and the like; the eerie appropriateness of moments of synchronicity; the whispered voice, the hidden presence, when we think we're alone." Charles de Lint

Friday, October 23, 2026

Pin Oak 101

Dotty commented on yesterday's post that she didn't know the difference between a pin oak and other oaks. I only know a little bit....so I looked it up. 

This is the pin oak in our front yard.....and I stand corrected because it actually has rich shades of yellow and orangey/red. Not bright like the maples...but still beautiful in an understated kind of way. 

Pin oaks are medium sized deciduous trees. The top branches point up...the middle branches point outward....and the lower branches point downward. Their leaves are smaller and deeply cut with sharp points....and they can be a little wonky. Which I love.

I found this online...and thought it was very helpful! 


We have a lot of Northern Red Oak in the woods....and they turn a bit yellow then straight to brown and the leaves are large and chunky.

For the second year in a row....we have virtually no acorns in woods and the backyard. Most years I rake and shovel them up by the bucket.

The acorns provide food for the squirrels and deer in the winter....so we're a bit concerned. But a few years ago we had a HUGE crop of acorns...it's called a Mast Year. I read that sometimes it takes a year or two for the trees to rest and recover from a Mast Year!

I have a great amount of respect for that....and so glad the tree knows to rest.
I did this watercolor in a bit of a hurry....so I'm not sure I love it. But I had to get it out of my head. I like the concept....but I know I can do better. 

Once it's good a dry...I may work the green leaves a bit more....maybe add red dots....or maybe they need a little white. 

This is cheap watercolor paper...so if I work it too much when it's wet...the top layer scrapes off. The paper is great for once and done....so I have to get it right enough the first time. And the price is right for my mass cyanotype printing sessions.

The boys are coming for dinner....so I'm a bit preoccupied! There is always joy in the house then the boys are here.

I wasn't very patient...and did a quick sketchy solution late this afternoon.
It's better....but I think I can still do better. More pin oak prints to come.

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6 comments:

  1. dotty seiter: now playingOctober 23, 2026 at 8:21 PM

    I think it's going to be a Mast Year for pin oak cyanotypes, with plenty of mast cyanotype printing sessions!!!

    Thanks for the oak leaves lesson, MaryAnn. I had NO idea there were so many varied oak leaf shapes. I do like the wonkiness of the pin oak leaves.

    And I like the energy of your "sketchy" solution.

    Fun that the boys are with you tonight : )

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    1. MaryAnn ShupeOctober 24, 2026 at 7:54 AM

      I had fun with this post...so thanks for the nudge. And our evening with the boys was just as fun!

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  2. AnonymousOctober 24, 2026 at 6:19 AM

    Thanks for the info about the oaks as I was wondering as well. I would never have guessed that the shingle and the chestnut were oaks as well. I like the final watercolor- a definite unexpected version.
    Enjoy those boys!
    Kathy

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    Replies
    1. MaryAnn ShupeOctober 24, 2026 at 7:56 AM

      I learned a lot too! And the final cyanotype watercolor version was a bit unexpected for me too!

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  3. Judy HartmanOctober 24, 2026 at 10:13 AM

    Love your recent cyanotypes, MaryAnn, and love when you add watercolor! I'm a bit off grid at the moment, so I've missed a couple of posts. Things will be back to normal by Tuesday - out of the house as our attic is being insulated!

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    Replies
    1. MaryAnn ShupeOctober 24, 2026 at 6:34 PM

      Thanks Judy! You never have to worry about being away and off the grid. That good for us sometimes. Good luck with the insulation project! That sounds like a good thing to do before winter.

      Delete

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